Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-25
ANDREW EaMAN's ROMANCE
The Story of an Escaped Convict
Before a State Board of PaIdons.
"

The Story of an Escaped Convict
Before a State Board of Pardons.
From the NeaO York Sun.
LANCASTER, PA, March 19.-In the
spring of 1879 Andrew Ehman, a cigar
maker, aged 49, was convicted on a
charge of burglary committed in this
county, and sentenced to five years IN the
county jail. He served nearly four years,
when the memorable Jail delivery, mau-
aged by the Abe Buzzard gang, several
OF whom were lncarcerated in the jail,
occurred. Ehman escaped with the rest,
nearly all Of whom were recaptured. A
reward of 800 was offered for the appre-
hension of Ehman and the others who
were at large, but no trace of them was
ever found.
month ago person who knew Ehman
in this county. and had worked with him,
went to Delaware, o.. after employment,
an extensive cooperative cigar factory
having been started there about a year
ago. The founder OF the factory and it's
president was young man named
Charles A. Smith, who, although haviL g
been but two or three years In the place,
was a leading citizen there and foremost
in many enterprises. The Lancaster
county man recognized in this prominent
citizen OF Delaware the escaped convict,
Andrew Ehman. He sent word to Lam
caster, and an of1cer, armed with all the
necessary papers, went to Delaware and
arrested Ehman. The arrest would have
resulted in riot but for the good sense OF
the prisoner himself, as the citizens gen.
orally refused to accept the story the de-
tectlves told. Ehman confessed to the
truth himself, and the officers were per-
mitted to depart with their prisoner.
fra In
aware after his escape from the Lancas-
ter jail, and had obtained work at his
trade under the name of Smith. He was
such an expert and excellent workman
and his character and habits proved to be
SO uniformly correct that he quickly OBJ
tanned the confidence of his employers,
was made their foreman and subse-
quenty started the cooperative works,
which, at the time his identity was dis
covered. were employing 200 hands. He
was instrumental in building Lutheran
church in the town, became Treasurer OF
the knights of Pythias, and occupied
other places of trust. He married an es-
timable young woman, owned fine resi-
dence, and was a model and exemplary
citizen in every way.
So popular was he with the people OF
Delaware, from the highest to the lowest,
that the knowledge OF his youthful error,
and that he came among them an es'
capped convict under an assumed name,
has not lessened him in their estimation
in the least, and they have sent a strong
petition, signed BY Judges, preachers, the
Mayor, and hundreds of others. asking
the Board of Pardons of this State to grant
Ehman pardon, that be may be restored
TO them and his family. This petition
has been supplemented by many Others
from this county, and Ehman's case has
beens presented to the board in strong
plea by b. Frank Eshelman, who was
Dristrict Attorney OF this county wher
Ehman was convicted. That the unfortu
nate Young mans reformation is complete
and unmistakable, his remarkable career
since his escape from jail leaves NJ
doubt, and it is certain that he will re
ceive an unconditional pardon.